Story ID: 
Business Aviation Flying Sees Gain in August
By: Chad Trautvetter
Caption: More declines expected in North America and Europe in September 2024
Word Count: 276
Global business aircraft flight activity last month rose by 1.4% from a year ago, despite decreases in key North American and European markets, according to the latest TraqPak data from Argus International. Flying in North America and Europe respectively dipped by 2.4% and 3.1% year over year, while activity in the rest of the world surged by 37.9%. Argus forecasters expect a 3.6% decrease in North American flying this month, as well as a 4.5% erosion in Europe, versus September 2023.
In North America, activity declined in every aircraft segment, with large-cabin jet flying suffering a 9.3% decrease from a year ago. Other segments had more moderate losses: turboprops, -1.5%; light jets, -1.4%; and midsize jets, -0.9%. Fractional flying was above water, logging an 8.6% gain from a year ago, while Part 91 and 135/charter activity fell 5.5% and 3.3%, respectively.
Though overall European activity was weaker than North America, performance by aircraft category was more mixed, with light and midsize jets climbing by 0.6% and 1.6% year over year, respectively. Turboprop flying dove by 12.1% and large-cabin jets were down by 3% in the region. In the rest of the world, turboprop activity surged by 61.1%, followed by midsize jets, +30.9%; light jets, +27.6%; and large-cabin jets, +8.4%.
“Globally speaking, activity improved in August, but breaking down the regions we saw a larger decline than we expected in North America, primarily driven by larger declines in the large-cabin jet and Part 91 markets. Fractional activity remains strong and Part 135 activity is showing signs of stabilizing,” said Argus senior v-p of software Travis Kuhn. “Across the pond, Europe remains down while the remaining regions of the globe grew 37.9% in August, highlighting growing demand for private aircraft around the world.”